Half of Americans admit to hopping in the pool instead of showering

Thursday

May 16, 2019 at 10:06 AM

Summer is just around the corner, which means people everywhere are dusting off those bathing suits and heading to the pool. But you might think twice before jumping in.

A survey by the Water Quality and Health Council found that over half of Americans said they use the pool as a substitute for a shower, either swimming instead of bathing or using the pool to rinse off after exercise or yard work. Doing so makes the pool's chlorine less effective.

“When dirt, sweat, personal care products, and other things on our bodies react with chlorine, there is less chlorine available to kill germs,” Dr. Chris Wiant, chair of the Water Quality & Health Council, said in the study. “Rinsing off for just one minute removes most of the dirt, sweat, or anything else on your body.”

Of the 3,100 Americans surveyed, 40% also admitted to peeing in the pool as an adult. This has the same effect as using the pool as your bathtub, reducing chlorine's effectiveness.

But wait, there's more gross pool facts: 24% of Americans said they would go swimming within an hour of having diarrhea, and 48% reported they never shower before swimming.

Basically, keep an eye out on those pools and check chemical levels in both your own pool and public pools. The Water Quality and Health Council is even giving out free pool test kits to help out.

And maybe it goes without saying, but don't pee in the pool.

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